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'Unaccountable' salaries of university heads on the agenda at Scotland Congress

4 April 2008
| last updated: 14 December 2015

UCU Scotland Congress, taking place today, will include debate on the 'huge unaccountable' salaries awarded to university principals, and the pay and conditions for staff.

Two motions call on delegates to condemn the narrowness of the composition of the Scottish government's 'Future Thinking Taskforce' on universities, which excludes trade unions and student representatives. UCU Scotland has called for a full review of, or other form of widespread public discussion about, the future of universities, that draws on evidence provided by academics and student bodies, not only on deals made between the government and the principals (vice-chancellors).

UCU Scotland president, Terry Brotherstone, said: 'There is real anger among our members about the inflation-busting pay rises for Principals and senior managers, who are already rewarded as though they were business executives not promoted academic colleagues. This is especially so in institutions that plead poverty when it comes to honouring the much more modest increases the union has won.

'I'm sure this feeling will be reflected on Friday and that delegates will also want to send a message to government that, in any serious discussion about priorities for future funding settlements the views of our members, who actually do the increasingly stressful teaching and research jobs, are of at least equal weight importance with those of the principals.'

The meeting will be addressed by UCU Scotland president Terry Brotherstone and James Alexander, president of NUS Scotland.

The event will be held on Friday 4 April 2008 from 10.00 at Airth Castle Hotel, near Stirling.